I’ve been 50 for a month and it’s been interesting. I had lots of people telling me that it’s all downhill from here. That I’ll wake up and things will start hurting that didn’t hurt before. That menopause will kick in. That I’ll be tired more. Etc, etc, etc.
I’ve been active my whole life. I’ve been hard on my body; I taught step for 20 years and I used to run long distances. So, my knees and body already complain everyday. I’m often tired at the end of the day, both body and brain. But you know what? Despite the aches and pains, I’m feel like my body and brain are healthier now than ever before. I am so happy that I have taken care of myself. I’m very in tune with my body and what it tells me. I know when I can push myself and know when I need to pull back; I now listen to and respect my body.
When we take care of ourselves, aging becomes less of a big deal. The antidote to the “symptoms” of aging is to take good care of yourself. The only natural “symptoms” of aging are change in eye sight and some part of your body will likely hurt at some point due to overuse, lack of use, or bad habits.
It’s never too late to start taking better care of yourself. The old Chinese Proverb says it all, “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago, the second best time is today.”
I will say that it felt like three days after I turned 50 that my eye sight went for a shit. Suddenly, I need lots of light and should be carrying my reading glasses with me so I can read labels in stores.
Other than that, I think great things are going to happen now that I’m 50. Here is my list of:
50 Great Things About Turning 50
1 You made it there! The alternative isn’t great and many people don’t get the chance to make it, so relish that!
2 You start to get seniors discounts – Rona, Seaworld, Kmart, Banana Republic, Krispy Kreme, and Budget Car Rentals
3 You realize how little you know instead of being a know it all and can learn (if you want)
4 You’re more confident
5 You get more vacation time
6 You are still considered young by anyone over 60 (says my husband who turns 60 tomorrow)
7 You know that “No.” is, in fact, a complete sentence
8 You don’t feel pressured to wear heels or thongs anymore
9 Your bullshit radar is more refined
10 You realize, with irritation, that your parents were right about almost everything
11 You can use your new aches and pains to get out of doing things for people
12 You’re that much closer to retirement
13 You can appreciate the internet because you grew up having to look things up by going to the library
14 You know cursive and can sign your name
15 You know your multiplication tables
16 Banks want to give you money to borrow
17 You can play the “old age” card when dealing with technology
18 You don’t have to do as much to get your Ontario Police Fit Pin (yay, less running and push ups!)
19 You learn to appreciate calm and silence and don’t need background noise all the time (aka you are comfortable with yourself)
20 You cherish your alone time
21 No one cares if you go to bed at 9:00
22 You can make it through a whole day without checking your cell phone
23 You can use hearing loss as an excuse to not engage with stupid people
24 You can use vision loss for not saying hi to someone you’d rather not get stuck talking to
25 You have less fucks to give and you allocate your fucks more accordingly
26 You can use your age to “forget” to do things you don’t want to do
27 You get more answers right on Jeopardy (assuming you can remember them!)
28 You know when to say something and when to just keep your mouth shut (not your circus, not your monkeys)
29 You can have a party and the neighbours likely won’t even realize it
30 You recognize that rest is just as important to thrive and you are not lazy for taking the time to do it
31 Kidnappers won’t be as interested in you if you travel alone
32 Your joints start to be a better indicator of the weather than the meteorologist
33 You actually know some shit (again, assuming you can remember it)
34 Your friends don’t call you after 9:00pm because they are all in bed too
35 You get to pick who you want to hang around (if anyone)
36 It’s perfectly acceptable to watch a movie in two (or three) sittings
37 When you trip or stumble you can blame it on age/eye sight
38 You can buy all the random, useless stuff you want because you have all the necessities
39 You get to do the MOH poop test for colon cancer (said with sarcasm)
40 You get to start having mammograms (my mom says it felt like her nipples were going to fly across the room so this sounds like a great experience {again, sarcasm})
41 You’ve seen the evolution of music – from cassettes to CD’s to downloading to streaming.
42 You still appreciate what a big deal Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” is/was
43 You know every word to Thriller and can belt it out any given time thus freaking out those younger, easily embarrassed peeps! (I include Mr. Roboto in that also)
44 You finally understand why the grips and hand rails are important in a shower
45 You watched both Charles & Diana and Harry & Meghan get married
46 You can appreciate how much selection there is to watch on TV after growing up with only 3 channels (that you actually had to get up off the couch to change!)
47 You don’t care what people see in your grocery cart
48 You’re far more tolerant of older people and recognize the challenges they face
49 You can tell younger people they don’t have it so tough, after all you had to walk to school up hill both ways (and they will likely believe you)!
50 I realize how much I accomplished, experienced, learned, and grown these first 50 years and know the next 50 will be amazing!
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